Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield Race Report 2017

26th December saw the 121st edition of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird shield race. Running since 1896, the 10 mile cross country race includes 5 2-mile laps. Handicaps were devised pre-race and the first runners took off at 11am. By 1135am all runners had gone on their way. The lead places swapped in the early stages but eventually a clear leader emerged in the youngest entrant 20 year old Niamh O’Neill, her first time to race this. In the end Niamh was first home finishing in a time of 73.18 also the fastest female time.

She is the one of the youngest winners of the shield in many years and is the youngest ever female winner. In second and third places were Des Gill and Barry Potts who had ran off the same handicap and used it well, helping each other all the way. The fastest time of the day went to Ken Nugent who was 4th overall and got a time of 58.37, great to see Ken back in good race form and he was the recipient of the Tommy Hayward trophy for the fastest time. Next fastest was Rossa Hurley 59.02 and then Niall lynch in 60.01.

A new departure this year was a one lap race for some of our juvenile runners and they set off when most participants were on their last lap. Mick Bourke and willie Smith worked very hard at setting up the course in the Phoenix Park that morning. Timing and commentary also from Willie Smith and club President Iain Morrison. Handicappers were Iain, ladies cross country captain Florrie Curley and men’s captain Rossa Hurley. At the clubhouse afterwards a special presentation was made to the family of the late Matt Rudden who passed away this year and who
Was instrumental in building the clubhouse in the early 90s. A big thanks to Stephen Kelly for providing his usual hearty soup to club members and supporters afterwards . Thanks to all participants and supporters.

Race Report: Florrie Curley
Photo Credit: Frank McNally

**WATERHOUSE BYRNE BAIRD SHIELD RESULTS**
POSITION	NAME	FINISH TIME	HANDICAP	RACE TIME
1	Niamh O’Neill	1hr 25’48”	+ 12’30”	73’18”
2	Barry Potts	1hr 28’13”	+ 14’	74’13”
3	Des Gill	1hr 28’55”	+ 14’	74’55”
4	Ken Nugent	1hr 30’37”	+ 32’	58’37”
5	Stephen Dawson	1hr 30’40”	+ 18’	72’40”
6	Emmet Ó Briain	1hr 31’56”	+ 29’	62’56”
7	Neil Hand	1hr 32’16”	+ 22’	70’16”
8	Amy Moriarty	1hr 32’25”	+ 18’30”	73’55”
9	Florrie Curley	1hr 32’39”	+ 19’	73’39”
10	Peter Sweeney	1hr 32’57”	+ 28’	64’57”
11	Karen Breen	1hr 33’40”	+ 15’	78’40”
12	Niall Lynch	1hr 34’01”	+ 34’	60’01”
13	Julia Hackett	1hr 34’08”	+ 14’	80’08”
14	Gavin Keogh	1hr 34’12”	+ 31’30	62’42”
15	Fergal Whitty	1hr 34’16”	+ 33’	61’16”
16	Alan Farrell	1hr 34’31”	+ 29’	65’31”
17	Tony Griffin	1hr 34’41”	+ 18’	76’41”
18	Peter Bonnar	1hr 34’59”	+ 5’	89’59”
19	Rossa Hurley	1hr 35’02”	+ 36’	59’02”
20	Dana Mackey	1hr 35’54”	+ 0	95’54”
21	Philip Hennessy	1hr 36’11”	+ 29’30”	66’41”
22	Ian Redican	1hr 36’57”	+ 20’	76’57”
23	Angela Eustace	1hr 36’27”	+ 9’	87’27”
24	Anne Curley	1hr 37’35”	+ 20’	77’35”
25	Jennifer O’keefe	1hr 46’50”	0	106’50”
DNF	LAPS
Michelle Dawson	3/5 (6 miles)
Rhona Duane	3/5 (6 miles)
FASTEST MEN	TIME
Ken Nugent	58’37″	Tommy Hayward Trophy
Rossa Hurley	59’02″
FASTEST WOMEN	TIME
Niamh O’Neill	73’18″
Florrie Curley	73’39″